| Tongue retention device and method of use -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Tongue retention device and method of useRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Body Protecting Or Restraining Devices For Patients Or Infants (e.g., Shields, Immobilizers), Antisnoring DeviceTongue retention device and method of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070163603, Tongue retention device and method of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to tongue retention devices, more particularly, a tongue retention device that maintains a tongue in a forward position to help alleviate sleep apnea and snoring. [0002] Obstructed sleep apnea is a serious problem for a large amount of individuals wherein the soft palate muscles around the base of the tongue and the uvula relax when a person is asleep, thereby obstructing the person's airway. Because the airway is obstructed, the level of oxygen in the blood falls to dangerously low levels and causes hypoxia, a condition wherein there is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues. In addition, the airway blockage also causes increased stress on the heart, elevated blood pressure and prevents individuals from entering REM sleep, the restful and restorative stage of sleep. In its most unobtrusive form, obstructed sleep apnea will cause a person to lose precious sleep and be tired the next day. In its most obtrusive form, obstructed sleep apnea could cause death as a person may block his or her airway and choke to death. Thus, the condition of obstructed sleep apnea is a very real and very serious medical condition which must be properly monitored and treated. [0003] Currently, a person may use a continuous positive airway pressure ("CPAP") machine to maintain the airway in an open position. Although the machine does prevent the airway from being blocked, it is not conducive for a restful night's sleep as the machine itself is very noisy. In addition, a person must wear a cumbersome air mask while sleeping, which is very uncomfortable. [0004] In extreme cases, a person diagnosed and suffering from obstructed sleep apnea may undergo ENT surgery, also known as UPPP (uvuol--palatopharyngoplasty), where a surgeon removes excessive soft tissue in the back of the throat to relieve obstruction. Although the surgery does, in most cases, correct the problem, undergoing such a medical procedure is not only expensive, but also potentially life-threatening. [0005] The most popular method of treatment for sleep apnea is surgery to remove uvula and/or the soft palate. Another new method is via the use of tongue retention devices that hold a person's tongue in a forward position while he or she is sleeping. Although there are numerous tongue retention devices that attempt to hold a person's tongue in a forward position during sleep so as to treat obstructed sleep apnea, the devices are defective in the fact that suction is used to maintain the tongue in the device. Therefore, although a person may fall asleep with the tongue in a forward position in the device, after a period of time, the tongue inevitably slips out of the device, falls back and obstructs the person's airway. [0006] Thus, a need exists for a tongue retention device that permits a person to safely and easily maintain a person's tongue in a forward position so as to prevent blockage of the airway. The relevant prior art includes the following references: TABLE-US-00001 Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue/Publication Date 6,408,851 Karell Jun. 25, 2002 4,304,227 Samelson Dec. 8, 1981 2002/0144685 Ivanovich et al. Oct. 10, 2002 4,676,240 Gardy Jun. 30, 1987 5,988,171 Sohn et al. Nov. 23, 1999 2001/0027793 Tielemans Oct. 11, 2001 6,408,852 Tielemans Jun. 25, 2002 2005/0061334 Krueger et al. Mar. 24, 2005 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a tongue retention device that maintains a person's tongue in a forward position while he or she is asleep. [0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tongue retention device that is easy to use. [0009] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a tongue retention device that is comfortable to wear. [0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tongue retention device that is durable. [0011] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a tongue retention device having an anchoring piece that is placed within a person's mouth and positioned such that it is against the teeth. The anchoring piece includes a tab having at least one aperture for the acceptance of an attachment device. To use the tongue retention device, a person positions the anchoring piece within his or her mouth. Then, he or she secures an attachment device, such as a tongue piercing or implant located in the tongue, in the aperture on the tab. Because the attachment device is located in the tongue, the tongue is maintained in a forward position such that it will not fall back into the throat of the wearer when the attachment device is secured to the tab. [0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tongue retention device of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a side cut-away plan view of the tongue retention device of the present invention in use with a first embodiment of an attachment device; [0017] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in use; and [0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of an attachment device for use in conjunction with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: Continue reading about Tongue retention device and method of use... Full patent description for Tongue retention device and method of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tongue retention device and method of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Tongue retention device and method of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Color coded restraints Next Patent Application: Leak test method for medical procedure via natural orifice Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Tongue retention device and method of use patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.53178 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
